2017 Nissan Micra shows its new design at 2016 Paris Motor Show

Nissan has unveiled the evolutionary fifth generation of its Micra small hatchback at the 2016 Paris Motor Show. The new Nissan Micra Gen5 is as appealing as it is revolutionary, offering more interior room, a stiff yet agile chassis and new downsized turbo drivetrains.

Since the new Micra features a longer wheelbase and increased width, it offers class-leading interior room, with the gliding-wing shaped dashboard augmenting this light and spacious feel.

Nissan also provided the new Micra with a new brushless electric power steering system that allows for faster response and greater steering feel.

A combined roof and side spoiler as well as an array of aerodynamic improvements have allowed the new Micra to achieve a Cd of 0.29.Carlos Ghosn, chief executive of Nissan Motor Co., remarked that the first Micra – launched over 30 years ago -- marked a revolution in the small hatchback segment while opening a new chapter for the Japanese carmaker.

He added that the Micra Gen5 is just as revolutionary as the first model, and is seen to hike expectations of a hatchback. Ghosn added that the latest generation of the Micra augments Nissan’s position as a leader in auto design while showing the carmaker’s intent to compete for the top of B-segment market in Europe.

Exterior Design

Developed to target European customers, the Micra Gen5 is longer, wider and lower than its predecessors and is marked by length-defining character line on the body. Its styling is heavily influenced by the Sway Concept that Nissan showed at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show, showcasing the brand’s latest design language with expressive body sculptures. It is also laden with a number of signature design cues like the characteristic V-motion grille, boomerang-shaped lights, and the floating roof.

The new Micra Gen5 also comes with an extended roofline with a spoiler as well as rear door handles hidden in the C-pillars – both helping improve the hatchback’s aerodynamics while making it look more elegant.

Nissan is offering a palette of 10 exterior colors like Energy Orange. Interestingly, exterior and interior personalization options for the new Micra allow customers to tailor the hatchback according to their taste and preferences, with 125 different styling variations available.

Drivers are provided with a lower driving position to make them comfortable, with a greater degree of seat adjustment, fully adjustable steering wheel and the optimal positioning of the pedals and shift lever helping ensure that the perfect driving position is always achieved.

Interior Design

Inside, Nissan took great lengths to further reduce interior noise by employing better insulation and optimization of its aerodynamics.

In addition, the hatchback features High Beam Assist, Blind Spot Warning and Traffic Sign Recognition. All of these bring features – considered as integral part of Autonomous Driving – brings Nissan Intelligent Mobility to life. For exceptional cabin convenience, the new Micra Gen5 comes with a six-speaker Bose Personal sound system that is optimized for the driver.

This audio system features two Bose UltraNearfield speakers and Bose PersonalSpace Virtual Audio Technology that are integrated into the driver seat headrest. New Bose Super65 speakers are also integrated in each of the front doors as well as tweeters in each A-pillar.

Access to the audio system, satellite navigation and mobile phone, as well as downloadable apps and Siri voice control via Apple CarPlay could be done through a seven-inch full color central display. Nissan will assemble the new Micra Gen5 at the Renault’s Flins facility in France, as part of the Renault Nissan Alliance. Nissan will commence sales of the hatchback in Europe in March 2017.

Powertrain

The core of the new Micra Gen5 is a range of dynamic yet efficient engines. At launch, the new Micra Gen5 could be equipped with a 0.9-liter turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine and a 1.5-liter diesel, both providing up to 90hp of output.

A naturally aspirated 1.0-liter petrol engine that provides 73hp of output will soon be offered. Optimizing the dynamics of these engines are a number of technologies that could improve ride comfort and driving enjoyment like the Active Ride Control and Active Trace Control that could reduce understeer and allow for sharper handling.

Press Release

NISSAN MICRA GEN5: THE REVOLUTION HAS BEGUN

Nissan’s Micra Gen5, unveiled at the 2016 Paris Motor Show, is a complete redefinition of what Micra means… and is as audacious as it is revolutionary.

Targeted for Europe, the world’s largest hatchback market, the Micra Gen5 is styled to turn heads, with a dramatic body length-defining character line. It is lower, wider and longer than its predecessors and has more interior space. It also has advanced new downsized turbo drivetrains, an agile chassis and a full complement of innovative safety features.

“When the first Micra appeared more than 30 years ago, it marked a revolution in the small hatchback segment and opened a new chapter for Nissan. The fifth generation Micra is just as revolutionary, and will raise expectations for what a hatchback can, and should, deliver to its customers,” said Carlos Ghosn, CEO, Nissan Motor Company, “Following in the wheel tracks of distinctive cars like Qashqai and Juke, the latest Micra reinforces Nissan’s position as a leader in automotive design. It also shows our intent to compete right at the top of Europe’s B-segment market – the largest and most competitive B-segment market in the world.”

Styling

Remaining faithful to the Sway Concept unveiled at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show, the Micra Gen5 fully embodies Nissan’s latest design language with signature design cues and emotional body sculpting. Design cues include the distinctive V-motion grille, from where the sharp-edged character line runs through to the rear end, boomerang-shaped lights, and the floating roof - another Nissan design signature - that creates an airy feeling. Other features include rear door handles hidden in the C-pillars and an extended roofline that incorporates a spoiler, benefiting the car’s aerodynamic performance and aesthetics.

The dramatic looks are matched by a selection of 10 sophisticated and vivid exterior colours, including Energy Orange. Additional exterior and interior personalisation options allow for the creation of 125 different variations, enabling owners to stamp their own style on their new Micra.

Much attention has been paid to driver comfort, with a lower driving position for a more secure driving feel. It’s easy for all drivers to achieve the perfect driving position thanks to greater seat adjustment, the fully adjustable steering wheel and the optimal positioning of the pedals and shift lever. The car’s extended width and wheelbase means cabin space is among the best in class. The gliding-wing shaped dashboard gives the cabin a light, sleek and spacious impression.

Technology on board

This Micra Gen5 is the first in Nissan’s B-segment line-up to offer such an extensive set of advanced safety features, available across all grades, bringing Nissan Intelligent Driving to life. Usually found in larger cars, available technologies include Lane Departure Prevention, a segment first. Intelligent Emergency Braking with pedestrian recognition, a first for Nissan vehicles in Europe, as well as Intelligent Around View Monitor, Traffic Sign Recognition, High Beam Assist and Blind Spot Warning. Together, these advanced safety features are the building blocks for Autonomous Driving and are an integral part of Nissan Intelligent Mobility.

An exclusive feature of Micra Gen5 is the all-new six-speaker Bose® Personal® sound system, developed through close collaboration with Nissan. This first-of-its-kind sound system is optimised for the driver, with two Bose UltraNearfield™ speakers, combined with Bose PersonalSpace™ Virtual Audio Technology, built into the driver seat headrest for a remarkably immersive listening experience. Additional passengers benefit from new Bose Super65 speakers in each of the front doors, producing powerful low-note performance, and tweeters in each A-pillar for sonic clarity.

Micra Gen5 features include Active Ride Control for enhanced ride comfort, and Active Trace Control for reduced understeer and sharper handling – combining driver enjoyment and reassurance – innovations only available on Nissan’s Qashqai and X-Trail until now. A new brushless electric power steering system – for greater steering feel and response - is also available.

Much attention has been paid to reducing noise in the cabin. Improvements include outstanding noise insulation and optimisation of the car’s aerodynamic performance. Exceptional aero efficiency has been achieved thanks to the combined roof and side spoiler. As a result, the new Micra has achieved a Cd of 0.29 – top level for a hatchback.

Engine efficiency has also been a key objective in the development of the Micra Gen5. At launch, the car will offer the choice of a 0.9-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine and a 1.5-litre diesel, both developing 90hp.The range will be joined soon after by a naturally aspirated 73hp 1.0-litre petrol engine. These engines, together with efficient aerodynamics, mark another step forward in Nissan Intelligent Power.

The Micra Gen5 will revolutionise customer expectations in the B-segment by introducing a unique blend of striking design, new, intuitive technology and confident, agile performance. Its striking design and bold colour options will make it stand out from the crowd, while its interior roominess and advanced features will appeal to buyers looking for more from their B-segment hatchback, or to those downsizing.

The new Nissan Micra will be built in Europe at the Renault plant in Flins, France, as part of the Renault Nissan Alliance. Sales will start in Europe from March 2017.